§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many veterinary surgeons who were(a) employed by the former Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, (b) employed by other Government Departments and agencies and (c) in the private sector were used by the Government in their campaign to eradicate the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in 2001. [64118]
§ Margaret BeckettThe number of veterinary surgeons assisting with the eradication of foot and mouth disease was not static throughout the epidemic. The table identifies veterinary resources as at mid April 2001 during the peak period.
Veterinary resources as at mid April 2001 Number (a) MAFF veterinarians 344 (b) Veterinary surgeons employed by other Government Departments and agencies; including foreign Governments 122 (c) Private sector veterinarians1 1,169 1Relates to temporary veterinary inspectors Local veterinary inspectors (LVIs) assisted in terms of licensing and some sero-surveillance work but remained working for their respective practices. These have not been included in the breakdown of figures.